Siwayul (Heart of a Womxn) - Nelwat Ishkamewe

Nelwat Ishkamewe Two-Spirit Theatre

presents

SIWAYUL (HEART OF A WOMXN)

By Xemiyulu Manibusan Tapepechul

Directed by Alexa Elizabeth Rodriguez

Washington, DC - Unceded Piscataway Land -

Siwayul (Heart of a Womxn) is a one-persxn play about reclaiming Two-Spirit identity through Indigenous Salvadoran culture and diaspora; and empowering the Ancestral Goddess within. A Native American Trans Womxn seeks her place in the world. Guided by the Ancestors, she finds herself within her heart of a Womxn- Siwayul.

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is located at the corner of 7th and G Streets SE. Street parking is very challenging; using Metro is encouraged. Getting there using Metro Rail, stop at Eastern Market (Blue/Orange Lines). Limited street parking is available. This venue is not wheelchair accessible.

“Oftentime, Transgender Womxn and Femmes are pushed aside, forgotten, or criticized for daring to exist in spaces.” Artistic Director & Playwright Tapepechul says, “For our second main stage production of the season, we want to center Transgender Womxn of Color, specifically Native American and Black Transgender Womxn, and so we are working with two Trans Womxn-led organizations, Trans-Latinx DMV & No Justice No Pride. This one-Femme play reminds the audience of the realities Trans Womxn and Femmes of Color face in a colonial nation. Our production of Siwayul (Heart of a Womxn) aims to uplift language revitalization and Ancestral healing, meanwhile celebrating the beauty and power of poetry.” This play adapted from Metzali: Siwayul Shitajkwilu, Xemiyulu Manibusan Tapepechul's first book of poetry released April 2018, produced in collaboration with the Trans Femmes of Trans-Latinx DMV and No Justice No Pride celebrating National Poetry Month, is made possible with support from the Diverse City Fund.

General Audience evening performances are on April 3, April 4, April 5, and April 6 at 8:00 PM.

General Audience matinee is on April 6 at 3:00 PM.

Student matinees are on April 8, April 9, April 10, April 11, and April 12 at 12:00 PM.